Orange leaders agree to domestic-partner registry

Orange County leaders agreed Tuesday to write a law broadening Orlando's domestic-partner registry that gives certain visitation and end-of life rights for all unmarried couples at hospitals, jails and funeral homes countywide.

The breakthrough emerged after weeks of tense debate between Mayor Teresa Jacobs and gay-rights activists over what protections should be adopted. Several times, activists feared Jacobs would oppose a registry.

But Jacobs affirmed Tuesday that she would back a registry while seeking to expand similar protections to people who do not live together. Several issues still need work before a final ordinance can be voted on, Jacobs said, but both sides were hopeful they would be resolved and a final law approved by late spring or early summer.

"We have the same goal in mind," Jacobs said. "There should not be any problem."

Still, many gay-rights advocates urged Jacobs to adopt an "undiluted" version of the law with the same protections Orlando has with its registry. They also lobbied for the county to play a greater role in running the system, both to make it more accessible and less confusing.

"We've got to do everything we can to fill the gaps in protections for unmarried gay and straight families," said Joseph Saunders, state field director for Equality Florida. "It's got to be strong."

Five of six commissioners voiced similar support: Scott Boyd, Ted Edwards, John Martinez, Tiffany Moore Russell and Jennifer Thompson. Commissioner Fred Brummer did not weigh in, but he has opposed a registry in the past.

"We've had no one come and speak in opposition," Edwards said of Tuesday's debate, contrasting it with past gay rights fights and noting it signaled this was "an inclusive community.''

A Feb. 20 email to Jacobs from Frank Santos, Rosen Hotels & Resorts chief financial officer, argued that a registry "will give us a critical competitive advantage over regions and employers who have yet to acknowledge the serious gaps in protections for unmarried gay and straight families."

Advocates say a registry is needed because Florida bans marriage between same-sex couples. They often face more hassles if a loved one is in a medical emergency because state law doesn't recognize them as family. Similar hurdles surface in jails, schools and at funeral homes.

But registry advocates have never been certain Jacobs shared that view. During her 2010 campaign, Jacobs said she opposed gay marriage and adoption but backed civil unions and an expansion of a county anti-discrimination ordinance.

Jacobs voiced initial skepticism about extending benefits to same-sex county workers, citing cost concerns. But she later steered that expansion to a 6-0 favorable vote soon after taking office.

During that benefit debate, Jacobs chose not to pass a domestic-partner registry at the same time. The mayor also declined to take it up later in 2011, citing an overloaded schedule and limited staff time.

After Orlando leaders passed a domestic-partner-registry ordinance in December, Jacobs only pledged to hold a hearing on the issue, saying she needed to do more research. Because several cities and counties, including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties already had registries, advocates worried that Jacobs was taking time to look for reasons to oppose it.

After months of internal deliberations and seeking feedback from hospitals, schools and funeral directors, Jacobs laid out her goal to commissioners for the first time Tuesday.

Jacobs envisions a system in which any county resident could sign up for the existing registry at Orlando City Hall. The county ordinance would give residents the right to sue to enforce the registry.

If adopted, the county ordinance would apply registry rights to businesses and institutions in the other cities within the county, unless they choose to opt out.

Jacobs said she still has concerns about whether the registry would apply to funeral homes for cremations and to private and religious schools. The mayor also said work is needed to get police to use the registry in their emergency-notification policies.

But gay advocates agreed the issues are resolvable, and they said the commissioners' and Jacobs' public declaration in support of a domestic-partner registry was a significant turning point.

"That's a huge advance," Mary Meeks said. "The rest of it is, making sure it's the best, most effective, efficient and enforceable ordnance it can be. And there are still some question marks there."